Can Antibiotics Increase the Risk of Cerebral Palsy?

Can Antibiotics During Pregnancy Increase the Risk of Cerebral Palsy?

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Shapiro Law Group

Researchers with the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London are claiming that an antibiotic commonly used for chest infections can increase the risk of epilepsy and cerebral palsy in children if taken during pregnancy. The results of the study were published in the journal PLOS One.

According to the researchers, mothers who took macrolide antibiotics were found to be twice as likely to have children with cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Macrolides are commonly prescribed to patients who are allergic to other popular antibiotics, such as penicillin.

The study analyzed 65,000 women who were prescribed a variety of antibiotics for infections during pregnancy. Data gathered during the study found that 10 in 10,000 children of mothers who took macrolide antibiotics developed either condition by the age of 7.

Scientists associated with the study could not establish that the antibiotics were the cause of the increased risk, and speculated that the infection the antibiotics were being used to treat could have damaged fetal development during pregnancy. Some health professionals are arguing that antibiotics are worth the risk, as an infection can cause more damage than the medication used to treat it.

What Are The Costs Of Having a Child With Cerebral Palsy?

Doctors must take great care when prescribing any kind of medication for pregnant women. Cerebral palsy can lead to a lifetime of high medical and social costs for children and families. If parents suspect that medical malpractice is responsible for their child’s condition, contacting an attorney can be the first step towards recovery.

For more information about cerebral palsy and medical malpractice, readers can explore our website. Follow us on Facebook and Google Plus for regular updates.

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